New York Yankees Claim AL East Division Lead Behind Texeira and Jeter

Yankees 3, Indians 1

The New York Yankees have claimed the division lead for the first time since the last game of the 2006 season. It has been a long road for the Yankees, but finally they have reclaimed what has been rightfully theirs for a long time.

The Yankees were led by a good pitching performance from starter Andy Pettitte. Pettitte lasted five innings and gave up six hits and only let up one run. He struck out one batter and walked six. He picked up win number five, which leads the Yankees.

However, Pettitte left in the sixth with an apparent back injury. Manager Joe Girardi did take him out for a precautionary measure. No word yet on what was actually wrong with him. After that, they bullpen took over.

Reliever Alfredo Aceves came in for Pettitte with the bases loaded. Aceves only allowed a sac-fly by Shin-Shoo Choo that scored Mark DeRosa. Aceves would pitch three scoreless innings, striking out three batters setting up the save from the great close Mariano Rivera. With the save, Rivera has saved 51 games for Pettitte, the most all-time.

We also need to talk about the Yankee offense in this game. The Yankees struck early and that’s all they virtually needed. The Yankees scored two runs off RBI’s from shortstop Derek Jeter and first baseman Mark Texeira. Jeter was 2-for-5 in this game. Texeira was 1-for-5 and with his RBI single, that would tally as he 40th RBI of the season.

Nick Swisher, 1-for-2, also batted in a run and contributed to the 3-1 victory.

Returning from the disabled list was catcher Jorge Posada. He was activated just before the game started and catcher Kevin Cash was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton W/B. Posada caught the whole entire game and said he felt good when he talked to YES reporter Kim Jones. Posada was 2-for-3 with a double.

Tomorrow, the Yankees play the Indians at 7:05 P.M. pending on the weather. CC Sabathia faces off against Fausto Carmona. This is CC’s first start in Cleveland since being traded to Milwaukee last season and then signing with the Yankees this year.